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10 Tips for an
Enjoyable Waterpark Experience
Summer is in full swing, which means families everywhere are heading to the waterpark to cool off and experience some major fun! Making sure you prepare for a day at the waterpark beforehand can make all the difference in whether you have a good or bad experience. I have provided some helpful tips and tricks that will ensure you have an amazing experience, and everyone leaves with a smile on their face!
#1 – Plan your day
Avoiding busy times at the waterpark is the simplest way to ensure a smooth trip! Normally, it is best to arrive as soon as the park opens because at that time there will be significantly less people in the park. This will allow you the opportunity to enjoy some peace and quiet before the afternoon crowd arrives. You should also consider going on a weekday or outside of peak travel times! I would suggest purchasing your waterpark tickets online before you go because ticket prices can sometimes be lower, and you won’t have to wait in line for tickets when you arrive. Make sure you look up the ride requirements for the waterpark before you leave. This step is often missed but is critical when you are bringing your kids with you! Most rides and attractions have height, weight, or age restrictions. Knowing ahead of time which rides your kids will be able to experience will make the day more enjoyable and help you avoid waiting in long lines for no reason. It will also give you an idea on what part of the park you will be spending most of your time in so you can plan where to set up for the day!
#2 – Scope it out
As soon as you enter the waterpark, pick some chairs in a shady area, and claim them as yours by putting your towels and bags on them. Then, grab a park map and take a walk around the park to look at all the different rides and attractions. Make a mental note of where the restrooms and food vendors are located as you are walking around. Have everyone pick out one ride they are most excited about and make sure to do those rides so that no one leaves disappointed at the end of the day. I would suggest getting in line for those rides as early in the day as you can before lines get super long in the afternoon!
#3 – Pick a meeting place
Pick a location in the waterpark to meet up in case anyone gets separated from the rest of the group! We normally choose to meet at the chairs we put our stuff on. If you decide to splurge and rent a cabana for the day, that would be a great meeting spot as well! As we walk around to scope everything out, we will discuss what landmarks will lead us back to our chairs. The meeting spot is also a great place to relax in the shade for a moment, reapply sunscreen, and drink some water to stay hydrated!
#4 – Sun protection
It is so important to take sun protection seriously, especially if you have fair skin and burn easily! Make sure you lather up with sunscreen before you enter the waterpark and plan on reapplying when you use the restroom, get a drink of water, or eat lunch. If you want to limit the number of times you need to apply sunscreen throughout the day, try wearing hats, sunglasses, and long sleeve swimsuits to protect your skin from the harsh rays!
#5 – Fuel your adventure
Food lines at the waterpark can be long around lunchtime! Plan to eat outside of peak lunch hours, like 10:30 in the morning or 2:00 in the afternoon. Waterparks are not usually known for their delicious food options. If you have picky eaters in the family, it would be a good idea to look up the food options available in the park before you arrive. Also, many waterparks will let you leave the park and then re-enter. If this is allowed, you could pack your own lunch in a cooler in your car and leave the park to eat whenever you are hungry. Either way, it is very important to make sure everyone eats a protein-packed lunch so that energy levels stay up and good moods stay intact!
#6 – Lock up your valuables
Most waterparks offer lockers, and we make sure we rent one every time we visit! The lockers can normally be found near the restrooms or changing areas, which makes them extra convenient at the end of the day. Use your locker to secure all your valuables and electronic devices. I would suggest putting a dry change of clothes in there as well, so you don’t have to wear uncomfortable, wet swimsuits on the drive home. You will most likely want to leave a bag at your chairs with your water bottles, sunscreen, towels, and goggles so you don’t have to go back and forth to your locker for everything you need throughout the day!
#7 – Hydrate
Being surrounded by water can sometimes make you forget that you need to keep yourself hydrated! It doesn’t matter if it’s 100 degrees outside or 75 degrees outside, it is important to drink plenty of water. Many waterparks will allow you to bring your own water bottles into the park. If this is allowed, I would suggest bringing an insulated water bottle that will keep your water cold all day no matter the temperature outside. If your kids are not big fans of drinking water, try adding some fresh fruit to your water bottle or make it a game where the kids have to take a sip of water each time they hear the “magic” word!
#8 – Safety first
Safety should be your priority when visiting the waterpark! Most waterparks have lifeguards for the pools and attractions who will make sure that all rules are being followed. It can be tempting to bend the rules or disregard safety signs posted at the park, but keep in mind that kids are especially susceptible to injuries when safety precautions are pushed to the wayside. In fact, there are more injuries reported on water rides than rollercoasters! Also, waterparks can be exhausting for kids so make sure you plan for lots of breaks, shade, and water. You know your kids better than anyone else. Just because they meet the requirements for a ride, does not mean they are ready for it. Trust your judgment!
#9 – Less is more
Pack light and bring only the essentials for your day at the waterpark! Essential items are different for everyone, but we just bring our water bottles, sunscreen, towels, water shoes, cell phones, hats, sunglasses, and a change of dry clothes. Check with the waterpark you are visiting before you leave to see if they offer complimentary towels and life jackets. If not, make sure you pack them! The key is to bring as few items as possible, while making sure that you will be comfortable and have an enjoyable day!
#10 – Provide incentives for leaving
Trust me, your kids will be having so much fun at the waterpark that they will not want to leave when the time comes! Set the expectation with your kids before you get started that you will need to leave by a certain time. Of course, you can always stay later but it puts that in their minds. You can also avoid end-of-the-day meltdowns by bribing them with the promise of ice cream or another treat on the way home!
That’s a wrap
Planning a trip to the waterpark can be overwhelming when you start to think about all the details. My hope is that you will use these ten tips and tricks to have the best waterpark experience possible. The agents at Pineapple Escapes love helping families plan trips to the waterpark, so reach out to your favorite agent when the summer heat is unbearable and the cool water beckons!
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